Stardust

A visually lush adaptation

By TOM MEEK | August 7, 2007

2.5 Stars

VIDEO: Watch the trailer for Stardust.

Who knew that Matthew Vaughn, the director of Layer Cake, had an inner Narnia? In this visually lush adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s graphic novel, a magical kingdom abuts a quaint English township. Claire Danes plays the title entity, a star in human form. The wry, dying King of Stormhold (Peter O’Toole) has put her in that state as quest fodder for his seven sons, who are murderously eager to succeed him. The stellar ensemble includes Robert De Niro as a cross-dressing pirate (Mr. Depp needn’t worry), Sienna Miller as an object of affection, and Michelle Pfeiffer as the catty, evil witch. The most resplendent performance, however, comes from Charlie Cox as Tristan, the wide-eyed lad, who in the pursuit of puppy love crosses into Stormhold to retrieve a fallen star. It’s dazzling to look at, but in the end Stardust evokes other movies — Brazil and The Princess Bride, to name two — without offering their indelible magic.

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